Barely a bezel

Technically there's a bezel on Acer's new 25-inch H257HU monitor. However, Acer's marketing the display as having a "zero-frame design" that both maximizes the viewing area and provides a more seamless viewing experience for multi-monitor setups. Having looked at pictures, I won't argue the point too much, just that there are bezels, though nowhere near as thick as my Dell U3011 (except on the bottom).

Two 7W Onkyo stereo speakers sit in the base

We can't recall ever being blown away by a monitor's integrated speakers. Most of the time, the cans that pass for speakers in a display are tinny and muffled at worst, and serviceable at best, which isn't exactly a glowing recommendation. Looking to change that, AOC injected a pair of 7W Onkyo stereo speakers into its newest 24-inch IPS display (i2473Pwm), which sit in an oversized base.

A high quality panel with lower power requirements

NEC today announced the MultiSync EA274WMi, the newest model to fall under its high-end IT desktop portfolio. The EA274WMi sports a 27-inch IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel with LED backlighting and a 2560x1440 resolution (QHD). Thanks in large part to the LED backlight, NEC says the EA274WMi is able to come in a slim and lighter weight profile with increased power savings compared to previous generation monitors.

There's no need to fuss with the PA249Q's calibration controls, Asus claims.

Most monitors can benefit from a burn-in period and custom calibration, some needing more than others. This is especially true if you require pinpoint color accuracy for photography chores or other professional work, so it's always nice when a company can deliver a panel that's ready to go right out of the box. Such is the claim Asus makes with its new PA249Q ProArt Series display, a professional 24-inch monitor that comes pre-calibrated from the factory "for uncompromised color precision."

Mostly evolutionary

The concept of the desktop PC that folds flat like a tabletop is catching on. HP was first, with its Z1 workstation, but Lenovo brought the technology to consumer all-in-ones with its very sexy IdeaCentre A720. Now Asus has adopted the idea for its new ET2300 series (we reviewed the model ET2300INTI-B022K).

Acer's new monitors are available in 21.5-inch and 23-inch models.

Acer on Tuesday announced that it is now offering its H6 Series LED-backlit displays to consumers in the U.S. The big feature Acer is pimping is "zero frame construction," which the company says adds to the aesthetics, especially when using multiple monitors simultaneously, including video walls. Acer's new monitors also feature IPS panels and Full HD 1080p resolution support.

HP is putting together a line of cost friendly touch-enabled laptops built around AMD.

The name of the game is affordability, and Hewlett-Packard is trying to win with a line of touch-enabled laptops that won't break the bank. The same is true of a new family of IPS monitors. As for the laptops, HP has chosen AMD as its running mate in the low(er) cost touch arena, which is not the least bit surprising when you look at AMD's track record in competing on the budget end. We had a chance to speak with a coupleof HP reps about their products.

Not a fan of chunky borders surrounding your monitor's display panel? If that's the case, you might like what AOC did with its newest 23-inch display. The company's i2367fh boasts a virtually borderless design, save for the bottom strip. On the sides and top, however, all you really see is the 23-inch IPS panel with a 50,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. That is, unless you look real closely.

Typically when a company advertises a product for enterprise or commercial customers, what they're really saying is, 'Hey, we jacked up the price, thanks for your business.' That doesn't appear to be the case with Acer's new B243PWL monitor, a 24-inch "commercial display." It's a $329 (MSRP) monitor, but it boasts an IPS panel with a Full HD (1920x1200) 16:10 screen resolution and a 100,000,000:1 contrast ratio (dynamic).

Dell’s 30-inch U3011 features an anti-glare hard coat to reduce reflections, and the 2560x1600 display tilts, swivels, and is height adjustable, but it can’t pivot into portrait mode. The monitor is outfitted with two HDMI and two DVI ports, as well as one analog VGA and one DisplayPort input. USB hubs are always convenient, and Dell obliges with one upstream and four downstream USB 2.0 ports, along with a seven-in-one multicard reader in the side of its bezel.